A message from John Miller, Leadership Team Chairman

Greetings everyone! I am excited to update you of our progress on the process of calling a new Pastor to HCOB. Many thanks to Julie Herman for inviting our Mid-Atlantic District Executive, Doug Veal to attend our Leadership Team meeting on July 29, 2025, to explain the steps involved in the process of calling a new Pastor. Julie then called a special Leadership Team meeting on July 31, 2025, to arrive at a consensus of members to contact to serve on the Search Committee. Julie and I split the list–she contacted the women and I contacted the men on the list. The results were absolutely amazing!

Three short days later we had a Search Committee consisting of nine people (it only took the third day because we were unable to contact one of the members who was away on vacation). Those answering the call to serve on the Search Committee are: Ed Beachley, Vince Bourdeau, Amy Clipp, Jack Finniff, Nicole Forsythe, Heather Kees, Roberta Maas, Ed Plank and Eileen Smith. I am thankful and greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm and willingness to serve on the part of these nine people. We are all truly blessed to have them representing us!

The first meeting of the new Search Committee is scheduled for September 9, 2025. Doug Veal will attend. Their first task will be to complete a profile for the church, which, as Julie explained in the July Tidings, is essentially a comprehensive resume for the church  describing the make-up of our congregation, the programs and services we provide, our re- sources and financial picture and what we are looking for in a pastor. All of this progress has transpired under Julie’s leadership prior to my assuming the role of Leadership Team Chair after the re-organization meeting on August 26, 2025.

Once the church profile is completed it will be distributed to all the Districts in the Church of the Brethren. Interested pastors complete their own profiles (resumes). Profiles of pastors who might be a “fit” are referred to the Search Committee for review by the District Executive. The Search Committee will select from the prospective pastors those who they wish to interview, either in person or via zoom. If the interview goes well, a prospective pastor may be invited to a “meet and greet” on a Saturday evening, present a trial sermon on Sunday morning followed by a vote by members of the congregation on the pastor and the financial package.

I am convinced that GOD has chosen a pastor that he wants to carry on the ministry of HCoB. I pray that we have the patience to wait for GOD to reveal that pastor to us. Please pray for wisdom and discernment for the members of the search committee as they begin this task for which they have been chosen. Please respect the fact that it is crucial that prospective pastors, information and actions of the Search Committee must remain confidential.

Looking forward with anticipation to what GOD has planned for us.
John Miller
Leadership Team Chair

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NRSVUE): “For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD, “plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart.”

“This is the day tat the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

Sooo–what have you been up to this summer? It’s been a rather laid-back summer for Don and me. All of our vacation times have been scheduled for some times between Fall and Spring. Highlights for us were attending our grandson, Owen’s, high school graduation and graduation party. I can’t believe we have a grandson going off to college later in August. He grew up too fast! We also spent a lot of time in my favorite room of our house, our  sunroom–watching the world go by in our backyard.

I have had plenty of time to reflect on things, including retirement. After 34 years–30 years of working six-days-a-week most weeks, I notice during the relaxing moments of this summer that next year I’m going to have more time–lots of time on my hands–time that I am not used to having. I wonder what I am going to do with it. I don’t want to waste it.

Some of you have asked me what my plans are after my retirement. I honestly don’t know what to fully expect yet. I’m looking forward to spending more time with Don, and having new adventures together. We want to spend time with friends. I’m looking forward to    enjoying hobbies and doing projects around the house. We are not planning world travels; but we do hope to do some traveling in the U.S. I’m not expecting to do interims; but we do expect after about a year, to settle in at HCOB and be helpers with you in the ministries here.

I have been talking to God a lot about what’s to come. I know God has more for me to do; it will just be different. As I have shared with you many times over in sermons–God calls all of us to live our faith every day. We should look for the everyday moments that could be opportunities to serve others; and then, follow through with taking that opportunity to be Jesus’ presence to those who need us. I’m expecting God to lead me to new every day opportunities…where I’m not serving in the role as pastor. But, I will always be a servant of God. This is God’s plan for all of us.

This summer will soon come to an end and things will get busier at the church again. I’m looking forward to the planning that comes for special days; and I’m looking forward to serving as your pastor as we do the work of Jesus, together.

A message from Julie Herman, Leadership Team Chairman

I want to keep you updated on the process of calling a new minister to HCOB. The Church of the Brethren Mid-Atlantic District Executive, Doug Veal, will be joining our Leadership Team meeting on July 29. He will bring us up to speed on the next steps we will need to take, including completing a profile for the church and establishing an official search committee. The profile is essentially a comprehensive resume for the church – describing the make-up of our congregation, the programs and services we provide, our resources and financial picture and what we are looking for in a pastor. Search committees are generally comprised of 7-11 people that reflect the entire body. It is the responsibility of the Leadership Team to call potential members of the search committee. Fun Fact: It is suggested that the search committee have an odd number of members so that there can never be a tie when voting.

There is no doubt that Twyla is an amazing leader. We have been—and continue to be—blessed by her wisdom, knowledge and compassion. I have heard her remind us during various meetings, though, that she is not the church – we all, together, make the church what it is. In the coming months, as we go through this calling process of a new pastor, we should lean on each other and, most importantly, lean on God to get us to the other side. He will never leave us nor forsake us. It kind of blows my mind that he already has someone chosen for us! Isn’t that amazing? He is in control. We just need to dive deep into his word, open our hearts to where he is leading us and put our faith in him to provide for our needs. Here are a couple of verses that you can turn to if you sense that you are feeling worried or out of control of this situation:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV):
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV):
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which      surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV):
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose trust IS the LORD. They will be like a tree planted by the water, sending out its roots by the stream. It will not fear when heat comes; its leaves will remain green. It will not worry when it is thirsty, nor will it be      dismayed when drought comes.”

If you have any questions throughout this process, please do not hesitate to contact me or John Miller, Vice Chair.

Julie Herman, Chair
HCOB Leadership Team